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Lane named women's coach

The ECB have announced that Mark Lane has been appointed as the new head coach of the England women’s team and he takes up the role on April 28.

Clare Connor head of women’s cricket at the ECB said: “Mark has displayed true commitment to women’s cricket for the past decade with his work at Surrey CCC and with various players, most notably Claire Taylor.

“He is tried and tested as a women’s cricket coach and this was proven in the most recent tour to Australia where he led England to victory in the Ashes Test match and in New Zealand where England secured the series 3-1.

“We wish him well for the challenges that lie ahead in the immediate future in the two home tours against South Africa and India and then to the World Cup and the World Twenty20 next year.”

Lane took over as acting head coach for the England women’s team in Australia this year and had an immediate impact.

The team retained the Ashes and went on to a convincing 3-1 series victory in the one-day series in New Zealand.

Lane played for Hampshire and Surrey 2nd XI teams as well as Berkshire in the minor counties as a wicketkeeper-batsman.

He has joined the ECB from Surrey where he worked as a full time cricket coach and has previously coached the Kenya men’s team and helped build the women’s game there.

He has an extensive background in women’s cricket having spent eight years working closely with regional squads and he also coaches England and Berkshire’s batsman Claire Taylor.

Lane added: “I’m really pleased to have been offered this position and I’m relishing the opportunity to take up the role.

“I’m delighted to be working with players of the calibre currently within the squad. They are a very talented and enthusiastic group of girls and I feel privileged to be working with them.

“We’re all really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead over the coming eighteen months – it’s a very exciting time for women’s cricket and I am thrilled to be a part of it. It will also be great to work alongside Clare Connor and Charlotte Edwards in their respective roles.

“I’d like to thank Surrey, in particular Paul Taylor and Sharon Eyers for their support in recent months.”